Council concerned about revenue

Published: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at 7:08 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at 7:08 p.m.

City Council members expressed concern for Thibodaux's future at a special meeting Tuesday on the 2014 budget.

A 2012 audit of city government finances, performed by Thibodaux-based accounting firm Stagni & Co., says Thibodaux has lost about $6.2 million in income over the past two years.

The city ended 2012 with $61.2 million in net assets, $8.6 million of which can be used on expenses.

Mayor Tommy Eschete said if the city continues at it's current pace there will be a need for significant cuts.

“Although our revenues go up every year, it's not keeping up with our expenditures,” he said.

Eschete said personnel costs are very high, but there is not a sizable increase in the amount of personnel.

“The only way to reduce personnel costs is to get rid of people,” he said.

And the way to avoid making large cuts to personnel is to start planning now for the future, he said.

Councilman Gene Richard said it's time the council pays more attention to the money it's spending.

“I'm not one for cutting services, but I am one for saying maybe we can't do all of the things we need to do because the funding isn't available,” he said. “Saying no to the public is hard, but there are some issues that are going to come up where we no longer have the funding that we used to have.”

Only one member of the public attended the public hearing.

The council also discussed projects it would like paid for through the next budget.

Councilman Chip Badeaux has expressed interest in building a boat launch in Thibodaux since last summer.

“I'm willing to spend my own personal effort and time in finding and locating land and even finding the money,” he said.

Badeaux said he's been in talks with several groups about potential money for the project.

Eschete said he's not opposed to a boat launch, but he thinks it's best to work with Lafourche Parish through a cooperative agreement.

With the west side of the city growing, it may be time to look at a recreation center in that area, Councilwoman Constance Johnson said.

“There are a lot of people coming out to that area. It's expanding. Many of the people would prefer to stay in the area where they live as opposed to coming across town,” she said.

Eschete agreed with Johnson on the recreation center. The project may not happen in 2014, but it is something the city will look at in the future.

Johnson said she would like to see drainage improvement projects in the area of St. Charles and Seventh streets.

Richard also expressed concern for drainage in his district, particularly around Goode and McCulla streets.

The North Lafourche Levee District has been helpful with drainage projects around the city, Eschete said, and he is confident the city's drainage will improve with continued cooperation with the city.

Staff Writer Jacob Batte can be reached at 448-7635 or jacob.batte@dailycomet.com.

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